Sandigan justices unfazed by threat of admin case

MANILA, Philippines - Justices of the Sandiganbayan are unfazed by threats of an administrative case for dismissing a P51-billion damage suit against former President Ferdinand Marcos and his officials last week.

Jaime Cabrera, the anti-graft court second division clerk of court, yesterday told The STAR nothing was irregular about the decision on the Binondo Central Bank that operated under the direct supervision of Trade Minister Roberto Ongpin in the 1980s.

Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Commissioner Gerard Mosquera said they are considering administrative charges against special second division chair Teresita Diaz-Baldos and Associate Justices Samuel Martires and Napoleon Inoturan, who signed the decision.

The timing of the ruling seems suspicious and highly irregular, Mosquera added.

The trial is not yet complete considering that hearings were set on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, he said.

Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz said the justices appeared “oblivious to the political reality during martial law.”

The government will appeal the dismissal, he added.

However, Cabrera said the anti-graft court followed normal procedure.

In resolving demurers to evidence, the court still sets hearings to ensure continuity of trial in case the pleadings are denied, he added.

In demurer to evidence, the defendants waive their right to present evidence to allow the court to decide the case based on the evidence of the prosecution on the belief that the government has a weak case.

Cabrera said since the demurers to evidence were granted, the hearings set will no longer push through.

“It’s normal procedure, nothing irregular,” he said.

The special second division has yet to receive a motion from the PCGG or the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) questioning the decision, he added.

The Sandiganbayan found “insufficient evidence” against some of the accused and “absence of evidence” against the rest, including the Marcoses. – With Teddy Molina